Here are some more trustworthy reasons why Canadians like you support World Vision in our mission to help children and families in need around the world.
1. Stewardship is one of World Vision's six core values.
As a Christian organization, we take stewardship very seriously. All staff members are responsible to ensure that donors' money is used well.
World Vision Canada was awarded the 2009 and 2010
Voluntary Sector Reporting Award for Financial Reporting Excellence from Queen’s School of Business and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.
2. World Vision is a registered charitable organization.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registers qualifying organizations as charities and handles audit and compliance activities. As a registered charity, World Vision must file an annual information return with the CRA, a portion of which is available to the public, and must meet certain requirements of the Income Tax Act concerning expenditures and activities.
3. World Vision is committed to making the most of every gift, to help as many people as possible.
In 2010, World Vision used 81.1 per cent of its overall revenue for programs to combat poverty and assist children in need. Only 13.9 per cent of World Vision's revenue was used for internal and external fundraising activities and 5.0 per cent on administration of the organization. This is well below what the Canadian Revenue Agency deems acceptable within the charitable sector. Click here to see the CRA’s recommendations on fundraising costs.
4. We review and audit our financial and programming systems at every step.
World Vision offices in the countries where we serve are regularly audited, both internally and externally. KPMG, an independent Canadian accounting and audit firm, audits World Vision Canada's finances annually. The audited statement is available to the public in our online annual report.
5. World Vision has tight financial controls and procedures in place.
We carefully review all expenses each month and have thorough procedures for entering into business contracts. As much as is practical, we segregate the process of obtaining competitive quotes, signing of contracts, approvals, and payments.
6. World Vision is accountable to an active, independent board of volunteer directors.
Our board of directors brings considerable expertise in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Moreover, as donors themselves, they have a personal stake in the effectiveness of World Vision's work. As an integral part of their oversight function, they review progress reports and scrutinize monthly financial statements. Click here to view our Board of Directors.
7. World Vision is accountable to external organizations.
Partner organizations, such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the World Food Programme, require recipients of their grant funding to follow strict reporting procedures. In financial year 2010, we received more than $13 million in grants from CIDA alone.
8. Canadians have given World Vision their trust since 1950 and support grows annually.
In 2010, 646,821 donors supported the work of World Vision Canada, including 402,831 child sponsors.
9. World Vision is a first-responder to global emergencies.
World Vision is prepared to mobilize as soon as disaster strikes in any region of the world, with relief supplies and a global network of skilled emergency staff. We are among the first to respond to humanitarian emergencies, and because of our long-term commitment to the well-being of children, we often remain longer than most organizations to ensure communities return to a healthy, sustainable state.
10. World Vision is more than a disaster relief organization.
We are working in more than 100 countries in development programs to improve the lives of children. World Vision’s Child Sponsorship program is a proven model that provides a long term, sustainable solution to poverty. When disasters like the earthquake in Haiti strike, Canadians trust World Vision to put their donations to work wisely, helping children and their families.
